GOING HOME: Foster program lets Colette be part of a family again

VERO BEACH - Pets are living longer, but with longevity comes problems associated with old age in animals, such as diabetes, thyroid disease, arthritis, and gingivitis. Sadly, when these issues arise, many older dogs and cats are given up to shelters because owners cannot afford their medical care.

Many times, these older house pets do not fare well at shelters, because they are not used to the increased noise and activity level there. At kill shelters, older pets are often euthanized because they are not readily adoptable. While no-kill facilities do not euthanize, many older dogs and cats live out the remainder of their lives at the facility, never returning to "real" homes.

Fortunately, Dog & Cats Forever has a Permanent Foster program which helps these former house pets find homes where they can spend their golden years. Foster families who take in an older dog or cat will provide food, litter and all the comforts of home, while the shelter provides any medical care necessary, thus making it easier for people to commit to caring for an older animal.

Colette, a 10-year-old Rottweiler was perfect for the program. She was surrendered to Dogs & Cats in May of 2012, suffering from a skin infection and arthritis. Although both conditions were treatable, Colette spent six months at the shelter waiting for a foster home. Happily, in December, volunteer James McGinty decided to take her "home or the holidays," to see how she would do with his other older dogs. "She looked so sad," said McGinty, adding that she has fit in perfectly with his canine and human family. "She has an excellent personality," said McGinty, who added that Colette is super with children and likes to roll on her back for belly rubs.

McGinty said that he prefers to have older dogs, and was not at all concerned about Colette's age. "Puppies are a dime a dozen to adopt," said McGinty. "The older ones are the ones which need homes."

McGinty said that because Dogs & Cats' foster program provides Colette's arthritis medicine, he is able to afford to keep her, adding, "She feels like she is part of my family."

This story is contributed by a member of the community and is neither endorsed nor affiliated with TCPalm.